<em>Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot</em>, 1573–1619. Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration, 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.17a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg)

Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot, 1573–1619. Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration, 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.17a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg)

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This looks so different! Can you tell me about it?

I love the shape of that box, it's so unique. The shape is based on gold and silver ingots that were still used during the Ming dynasty. What drew you to it out of the other blue and white items in the case?

Definitely the shape, I like to think about what went into creating that shape.

I'm sure it's more difficult to make than a typical rectangular box! The dragons that adorn the box are a symbol of the emperor.

What's an ingot?

The word ingot is used to describe a formed piece of a raw material, usually metal. This ceramic box is the same shape that a piece of precious metal would be made into for trade, before it was made into something else.

Tell me more.

Though ceramic, this box symbolizes wealth and status by its shape. As you may have read, it is shaped like an ingot of precious metal. The shape mimics the shape in which the metal would be sold as a raw material.

The decoration of this box is also considered the height of sophistication in Chinese ceramics, having been created in the royal kilns during the Ming Dynasty.

When was the Wanli period?

The Wanli Period was from 1573 to 1619, during the Ming Dynasty in China.The imperial kilns at Jingdezhen expanded a great deal during the Ming Dynasty, to the point that most blue-and-while pottery produced during the period can be assumed to come from these kilns.

Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

MEDIUM Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration

Place Made: Jiangxi, China

DATES 1573–1619

DYNASTY Ming Dynasty

PERIOD Wanli Period

DIMENSIONS 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm) a-base: 2 1/2 × 5 1/4 in. (6.3 × 13.3 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS 6-character reign mark on base: "Made during the Wanli reign of the Great Ming"

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 52.49.17a-b

CREDIT LINE The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Seed mouth; shallow body that slightly tapers; circular foot; attached cover. In shape of ingot. Cobalt-blue decoration: 4 walking dragons on box and cover. Double dragons grasping the flaming pearl on cover. 5-clawed dragon was the emperor's symbol and was used in the palace. 6-character reign mark on base: "Made during the Wanli reign of the Great Ming". The seed mouths and base of foot are unglazed. Vessel's and cover's interior and exterior are covered with a clear glaze. Because of the low amount of iron in glaze and reducing atmosphere, glaze has a blue-green color. Daily used ware. Condition: Basically intact. Chips on seed mouth.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

CAPTION Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot, 1573–1619. Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration, 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.17a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg)

IMAGE group, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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